Former federal minister Kazmi released from Adiala Jail

Rawalpindi: Former federal minister for religious affairs Hamid Saeed Kazmi has been released from Adiala Jail on Wednesday after the court has acquitted him in the Hajj corruption case.

While talking to media Kazmi expressed his gratitude to Allah and said that all blemishes of corruption against him has removed. He said that he was treated as common criminals nor even allocated the B-class.

Along with Kazmi former Director General Hajj Rao Shakeel and Joint Secretary for Religious Affairs Aftab ul Islam have been set free from the jail.

On Monday, IHC judge Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani announced verdict of the corruption case filed against former minister and others and acquitted all in the case.

In 2016, the special court indicted Kazmi and his accomplices in the case; the minister was sentenced to 16-years in prison, DG Hajj Rao Shakeel sentenced to 40 years in jail. The accused were also fined with heavy amount of Rs.15 million.

The lower court also awarded sixteen year prison to Joint Secretary for religious affairs.

During the last regime of Pakistan Peoples Party, in 2010, the religious affairs minister and other were under allegations of involvement in Hajj corruption causing huge loss to the national exchequer. About 35,000 pilgrims were severely affected due to high charges.